Lontar Traditional Writing Media: Knowing a Manuscript Culture Recording the Proud of Bali’s Civilization
Lontar is a traditional script of the past, with the material for making it written on leaves. The word lontar is closely related to the source of the basic material used, namely rontal/ental leaf/tal (a type of palm leaf/borassus flabelliformis). The function of palm leaves for Balinese people is also closely related to ceremonial activities or more often used as Balinese script writing so that the palm tree has an honorable position. Lontar as a product of Balinese culture can be used as a very important source of information for the community, because through lontar people can obtain information in the form of evidence of important events that occurred in the past. This lontar cultural heritage has given deep meaning to the noble culture of Balinese tradition in the midst of world civilization.
Lontar is a product of Balinese culture that has been recognized as a world cultural heritage. According to the Bali Cultural Heritage Conservation, Volume 10 (1998: 2–6) quoted from the journal Ida Bagus Rai Putra in 2019, Balinese lontar is one of the world’s cultural heritages because it has characteristics, such as: 1) intellectual cultural heritage, 2) a living tradition, 3) it is easy to move (moveable), 4) has a physical form (tangible) and non-physical (intangible), 5) has a function and position that is honorable and purified in society (abstract), and 6) has become a world heritage. The existence of lontar is very important, because it is a source of very potential manuscript culture and has noble values to be used as guidelines and guidance for the Balinese people in religious life.
This lontar tradition is passed down from generation to generation. Lontar is believed by the Balinese to have a positive aura and energy and the blessing of Sang Hyang Aji Saraswati, the manifestation of God as the Goddess of Knowledge. On a holy holiday in Bali, every six months based on the Balinese Hindu calendar, namely Saniscara Kliwon Wuku Watugunung, Balinese people hold a ceremony to commemorate the day of the descent of knowledge. The ceremony is known as Rahina Suci Saraswati, where the process is mebanten (putting offerings) on a book or lontar, as a form of yadnya given to God for the abundance of knowledge. The next day, in the morning (before 12 noon), right on the holy day of Redite Umanis Watugunung, Balinese people bring toya kumkuman (holy water) to springs or carry out the banyu pinaruh ceremony (welcome the descent of knowledge).
Lontar’s Existence as a Manuscript and Intellectual Property
Quoted from a journal written by Sedana in 2013, the manuscript comes from the Latin, namely Manuscript which means “manu scriptus” specially handwritten, or which can also be said to be a handwritten written document. In this regard, lontar is also a handwritten work, with an elongated writing field usually measuring 3 x 40 cm and written from left to right. The writing instruments used in writing (copying lontar) according to Ida Pedanda Gede Tembau are; (1) Pengrupak (pengutik) or sharp-edged knife, (2) threshing or punching hole, (3) Pemlagbag or a tool for jamming, and (4) Tepesan.
Based on this, the process of making lontar can be said to be quite unique. Starting from the tools and materials used in making it and the writing process that uses ancient Balinese script, making lontar has its own charm. In addition to the tools mentioned above, when starting the process of making lontar, engraving/writing is carried out on the lontar leaves. The contents of the papyrus also vary. Starting from the epic stories of the Mahabharata, Ramayana, traditional Balinese stories, regional legends, to local customary regulations that are in accordance with each village and time.
The wealth of Balinese thought, traditionally and spiritually, has been recorded in lontar manuscripts. Lontar, which has aspects of knowledge and stories that educate by providing discourse and portraits about life, can also be used as smerti, namely good and bad examples of implementing a life. This means that lontar have teacher-like characteristics that teach their readers indirectly to recognize their environment and which traits to follow and which ones to avoid. Balinese people in the past have given their advice through the knowledge of lontar in the hope that it can be developed to organize and increase the potential of life in the spiritual and material fields now and in the future.
The lontar tradition with its literacy and learning is a very valuable and important cultural heritage. It is not only important for today’s Balinese society but also to decorate the intellectual property of other peoples in a broad sense. The entire content and philosophy of lontar can still be said to be relevant and deserve to be inherited and preserved so that they can achieve a more enhanced social and spiritual life. The Balinese tradition of studying and practicing lontar is called anak nyastra (a man of letters) which means he is an educated person (gelettered). They are the real stakeholders in the lontar in Bali.
The importance of preserving ancient manuscripts, especially lontar, is deemed necessary to carry out preventive preservation measures against the lontar manuscripts, this action is carried out early considering that there are no facilities from the relevant institutions or agencies to carry out curative preservation activities, negligence in preserving the lontar manuscripts will have an impact on damage. the lontar so that the information contained in the lontar cannot be used by the user or information seeker.
